Lecture program archive

Named Lectures

The Howard Memorial Lecture

The Howard Lectures are delivered at the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales by a scientist who has pre-eminence in the area of Organic Chemistry or related discipline. The lectures are funded by a bequest left to both Universities in 1994 by the late Harold Theodore Howard. Howard obtained a BSc from Sydney University and graduated from Sydney Teachers College in Chemistry and Organic Chemistry (Pure and Applied). He taught chemistry for many years (1925-62), and upon retirement in 1966 carried out further research on saponins and steroid chemistry as an Honorary Research Associate at Macquarie University (1966-77) and the University if NSW (1978-85).

The Ernest Ritchie Memorial Lecture

Ernest Ritchie, Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Sydney from 1967 to 1976, died suddenly on April 8th 1976. He had a long and distinguished career in the Department of Organic Chemistry starting in 1941. Whilst best remembered for his contributions to the chemistry of plant products, his scientific interests embraced other areas, notably synthetic chemistry and biogenesis. Above all, he had remarkable human qualities of honesty, sincerity and kindness and inspired a generation of Australian organic chemists. To commemorate his life and work, the School of Chemistry launched a memorial appeal to support lectures by distinguished visitors to be given at the University of Sydney under the auspices of the Sydney University Chemical Society.

The Liversidge Lecture

Archibald Liversidge was born in London in 1846. After becoming an associate (1867) at the Royal School of Mines and the Royal College of Chemistry, he matriculated Cambridge in 1870. In 1872, Liversidge came to Australia as 'Reader in Geology and Assistant in the Laboratory' at the University of Sydney. In 1874 he was appointed Professor of Geology and Mineralogy and in 1882 became Professor of Mineralogy and Chemistry. Liversidge was appointed first Dean of Science at the University of Sydney (1882-1907) and was a Fellow of the Senate (1879-1904). He later became an Emeritus Professor of the University. Liversidge was Honorary Secretary of the Royal Society of New South Wales (1874-1884) and was a founder of ANZAAS (1888). Liversidge died in 1927 and bequeathed funds to support lectures in Chemistry at the University of Sydney.

The Alexander Memorial Lecture

Professor Albert Ernest Alexander obtained his BSc at the University of Reading, and his PhD from the University of Cambridge. In 1949 he moved to Sydney to take up the Foundation Chair of Applied Chemistry at what was later to become the University of NSW. In 1957 he moved to the University of Sydney to hold the chair of Physical Chemistry, a position he held until 1970. He was a fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and was elected a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 1960. The Alexander Memorial Fund was established in 1978 as a result of an appeal by the University of Sydney and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry).

The Francis Lions Memorial Lecture

Francis Lions graduated from The University of Sydney in 1923 with a double University Medal in chemistry and organic chemistry. After completing his PhD at the University of Manchester under the guidance of Sir Robert Robinson he returned as a lecturer in 1926 and remained until his retirement (as Reader) in 1966. As a member of staff Lions inspired generations of students; he was noted for his teaching and prided himseld on lecturing without notes. He made major contributions (in collaboration with Frank Dwyer) to the field of coordination chemistry and multidentate metal ligands. Lions was also prominent in University affairs, being a Fellow of the Senate from 1949-1957, elected as a representative of the graduates.

The Francis Lions Fund was established in 1999 as a result of a generous donation and subsequent contributions from former students and colleagues.

The Noel Hush Lectures

The Le Fèvre Postgraduate Students

The lectures were established in 1985 following a gift of $2000 from Emeritus Professor R.J.W. Le Fèvre, FRS FAA, who was Head of the School of Chemistry and Professor from 1946 to 1970 and internationally renowned for his work in physical-organic chemistry. Up to three annual prizes may be awarded by the Dean of the Faculty of Science, on the recommendation of the Council of the Sydney University Chemical Society subject to the approval of the Head of the School of Chemistry, to postgraduate students enrolled in the School of Chemistry.